Kano, Rest in Peace

2068

It is enormously sad news that our friend Kano, Martin Kane, succumbed to his illness this morning.  Kano was an ever-present on CQN for four years, on occasion writing our match reports, until illness struck in 2008.  He was left completely paralysed, eventually only able to communicate through a machine, requiring round the clock care.

He was isolated in hospital in his home city of Perth, Western Australia, lonely for him and difficult for his wife Carolyn and their family, with no realistic chance of recovery.  On hearing this news, CQN reacted in an incredible way.  Our also now-departed friend, Pablophanque, wrote, “We need to get this guy home”, and a campaign started to raise the tens of thousands of pounds required to transform part of his home into an appropriate care facility.

As the campaign got underway I remember being concerned, it was going to take at least £60k and I thought we had no chance of getting close to this.  Pablo (memorably) didn’t want to head the campaign he started but others soon stepped in and the Bring Martin Home got underway in earnest.  Those behind it moved heaven and earth, and within a few months, the money was in place and Kano was back living at home with his family.

The Kano Foundation, a remarkable self-funded organisation which takes kids groups and charities to Celtic games, was established by those running the Bring Martin Home campaign, to harness the expertise and goodwill for on-going good, in Martin’s name.

When I first met Kano’s dad, Matt, who himself is no longer with us, six years ago, I was caught off-guard when he talked about Kano’s life expectancy.  Unable to move he was enormously vulnerable to any prosaic infection.  He suffered a few health scares but fought through them for far longer than many anticipated.

We got him back on the blog briefly, sharing some of his gratitude for the work done and his humour, but he explained the hours it took to compose his few sentences.  He continued to watch Celtic, of course.

This morning our thoughts go to Carolyn and the kids, as well as to his good pal Ramie and those who cared for Martin.  Those who decided to get off their arses and change the world for one family back in 2008 should be very proud of what they did, and the years at home they gave Kano.

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2,068 Comments

  1. bournesouprecipe on

    Greensideup

     

     

    Same here.

     

     

    And as others have already posted, there appears to be a Celtic policy intention of not buying or keeping, till contract run down time.

     

     

    Sammy being the classic example, especially if you consider how his game appears to have stalled, ( maybe it’s way to go.)

     

     

    30 – 31 doesn’t fit the new contract system, which IMHO is absurd in the case of Kris Commons, that is of course without knowing his demands.

  2. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    I have to agree selling Kris Commons and buying Shaun Maloney is just plain daft I dont know if this is Ronys idea but if it is hes just for me shown he is struggling with the Celtic job.H.H.

  3. billy bhoy

     

     

    16:37 on 10 January, 2015

     

    mickbhoy1888

     

     

    Aye and it’s only £20 return to Dublin from Glesga with Ryanair

  4. pedrocaravanachio67 on

    Jobo

     

     

    Sorry, it’s no gonnae happen for Bolton…….

     

    I’m waitin for them also !!!!!

     

     

    Weefra

     

    Hope everything goes well for mrs Weefra, will keep her in ma prayers.

  5. Nobody REALLY knows the stumbling block regarding KC ….

     

     

    Perhaps he fancies another crack down south ?

  6. bournesouprecipe on

    Bada

     

     

    Great trying to reach other daughter and wife now away shopping.

     

     

    Can you keep your eye on here?

  7. mickbhoy1888

     

     

    Aye, but they would add a zero when we were playing away!

     

     

    Ever tried booking up for a CL away game? Prices quadruple in the space of 5 mins!

  8. Pauloantony

     

     

     

    A 2 year contract on the same money which Celtic are not prepared to offer is the informed opinion

  9. As games approach stoppage time are the 11 LMS3 competitors who went for Man City about to fall at the first fence…?

  10. Billybhoy 16:46

     

     

    Surely Michael O’Leary a right good Irishman wouldn’t try to profit from the Celtic support,surely not

  11. Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way on

    Jobo

     

     

    They could always buy a second life.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  12. Stairheedrammy on

    I used to take my boy to Lennoxtown when he collected autographs and wee Shaun was one of the players we would bump in to. He took defeat very badly and always came across as one of the most determined to finish above the old Rangers. Very much a supporter of our club. He also created far more goals than Aiden did when both played for us.

  13. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Well Aberdeen continue there good run another clean sheet and stretch there lead at the top of the league.It for me its good to see a challenge and it just might help the powers that be at Celtic realise we need to bring in some quality to improve our first team.H.H.

  14. Gerryfaethebrig on

    pedrocaravanachio67

     

     

    16:51 on 10 January, 2015

     

    Hahaha jeff stelling

     

     

    “Rangers have finally won at Alloa”

     

     

    In fairness to Geoff, it’s the 1st time that mob have ever beat Alloa

  15. frannyb67,

     

     

    re Niall and the sheep.

     

     

    I agree re the msm, but a mate of mine lives up there and told me a few were not too happy with Niall.

     

     

    doubt theyll be too bothered tonight tho.

     

     

    HAIL! HAIL!

     

    Token

  16. Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way on

    Thank you Bada

     

     

    Berwick -1 was my only winning bet of the day (excluding my LMS3 triumph of course)

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC